King Olaf journeys to Scotland, England, and Ireland, ostensibly on yet another trade mission. While in England, however, he privately suggests a mutual defense pact.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Bjornson finally arrives in Italy, after a stop in Sardinia, just a few weeks after the death of Pope Damian. He makes a few public gifts and catches up with some colleagues and up and coming Italians, and then makes ready for Conclave.

England seems open to the proposed pact, as do the former enemies in Poland and Brandenburg.

The Anatolian Army meets a Polish-Lithuanian force in battle on the plains. Despite the Kalmars' experience in battle, they are soundly smacked about the ears by Polish cavalry, losing a substantial amount of troops. The remainder evades capture.

(Mycro has given me the control of the conclave, so I get to choose the pope. Of course since you cardinal is a foreigner, he has to so more than apply for pope to have a chance [We know even today the pope is of Italian descent]. Perhaps your cardinal can convince the people/cardinals in Rome that he has the interests of the Church at heart, not the Scandinavian ones or there is always corrupt cardinals...)

(You make a good point, Numbers, he needs to prove himself. Cardinal Bjornson has been trying to be generous as he traveled, but that has more bearing on whether he'll be a likable Pope, rather than his immediate chances of becoming Pope. I think I'll have him pursue both the options you mentioned, and maybe more. Hold on.)

As Bjornson prepares for conclave, he prays frequently in public, asking frequently for God's blessing on the church and Damian's successor. In private he begins looking into which cardinals might be... convinced... he would be best as the next Pope. Whenever possible, he promises favors, rather than outright bribes. For example, he might offer Spanish and/or Portuguese Cardinals support in the war they are currently fighting.

(Note, he probably won't specify whether he means Scandinavian or Church help. If pressed, he explains he means mostly church help, with some possible help from Kalmar. Bjornson is, of course, good friends with King Olaf, but he doesn't want to promise much aid from his country, which, as far as he knows, is still fighting a war.)

When faced with some of the most clearly corruptible Cardinals, he will offer outright money, or whatever other compensation they might want, within reason. (Mind you, what more compensation could a cardinal really want?)

Meanwhile, on the more respectable end of things Bjornson meets with the more pious and honest Cardinals for private prayer, and to discuss doctrine. He explains that he intends to maintain the policies of Pope Damian for the most part, with two slight exceptions.

First, he intends to expand everything Damian did for the arts. He saw the effects that building a new Cathedral and sponsoring local artists in Kalmar, and he is convinced that such growth and vitality in a society is God's reward for doing good work, and so he hopes that the Church can help to spread that good work elsewhere.

Second, moved by the recent war in which Kalmar was involved, Bjornson hopes the Church can help to establish and maintain peace, although he quickly adds to worried Cardinals that he also wants to stick as closely as possible to Damian's policy of abstaining from the affairs of Kings, so as to protect the sanctity of the Church.

Cardinal Bjornson keeps up with his meetings and prayer until the conclave.

(If it matters to you, Numbers, Bjornson is being completely honest. The Good Cardinal is more than a little self-interested, (it's hard not to be if you have power in King Olaf's Kalmar) which is why he is willing to bribe those Cardinals that need bribing, but he doesn't like it.

I've decided that he really is an good man, right down to disagreeing with the war which he still thinks is on. As a friend of the King, however, he never said so publicly. But his private council was a key reason why Olaf was content to end the war after the Battle of Jutland.

P.S. Interestingly enough, IRL, there was a Pope from nearby Utrecht in 1522. He was the last non-Italian Pope till the recent John Paul II.

P.S.S. I just looked at the length of this post. Sorry about the long read.

P.S.S.S. Let me know if there are any specific Cardinals you want me to interact with, and/or anything else Bjornson could do to improve his chances.)

Northern Italy (notably Florence) seems to like Bjornson's hope to expand the arts and hope that the Italian companies such as the Medici bank can expand into northern Europe.

Southern Italy meanwhile thinks that Bjornson wants to be Pope because of Scandinavia's interests. They put forth their own papal candidate Cesare Narni (doesn't really exist, but couldn't find a good person on Wikipedia). Cesare also gets most of the honest cardinals, though Bjornson is able to persuade more of the "convincible ones"._______________________________________________________________________________(Key figures for Bjornson: Cosimo de Medici- head of state, Lorenzo de Medici- Cardinal who is related to Cosimo, Cesare Narni- Naples Cardinal)

Cardinal Bjornson, as part of his efforts to lead the church to sponsor the arts, reaches out to Cardinal de Medici and through him to Cosimo, explaining that there will be great need for Italian industry, especially secular financing, throughout Europe if he is elected Pope. He asks Cosimo if there is any way he could help calm the fears of southern Italians, whom he has heard are nervous about his political ties to Kalmar. He asserts that he only has the best interests of the Church and all its people at heart.

Meanwhile, Karl (I haven't used Bjornson's first name in a while) meets with his new found rival Cesare, and offers his blessing on Narni's own bid for Pope, and hopes Cesare will do the same for him. (sort of an ecclesiastical "May the best man win") He talks at length about the direction of the church and what they can both agree on, and what they disagree on.

Also, back in Kalmar, King Olaf continues to fortify the Baltic Islands and expands royal patronage to the most innovative ship builders. He also works with the latest financial trends, developing a sales tax system, while simultaneously expanding currency use among the common people.

Olaf, true to form, then flits off to Holland on a mission to improve trade, and while there comments on how pleased he is at the continuing normalization of trade relations with nearby Brandenburg and Poland-Lithuania. He mentions he is considering a voyage to those countries next.

(I am going to speed up the conclave) The cardinals choose Bjornson as the new Pope. Bjornson gets the choice of comming up with his own papal name (I'd recommend something Italian or a name of a saint).

Meanwhile Italy trains its captains to handle ships better (since the almost invasion failed before the ships left).

(Don't worry, Numbers. I've been giving some thought to this for a while.)

Bjornson, while praying after being elected pope, experiences a vision in which he is arguing theology with his good friend General Felix, head of the Kalmar army, which is odd in and of itself, as Felix has never in life expressed any interest in theology. In the vision, he is winning the argument, as befits his status as a cardinal. However, suddenly the tables are turned; Felix begins to win the arguments, making powerful and subtle points. As Bjornson despairs, he notices a hand on his friend's shoulder. Looking, he sees that the hand is that of Jesus, who smiles as he is seen, and extends his other hand to Bjornson. Together the three of them walk into a large and ornate Chapel in Rome, which does not yet exist.

When Bjornson awakes from the vision he declares himself Pope Felix V. (At this point in history, unless the DM decides otherwise, Antipope Felix II is still considered a legitimate pope, and Antipope Felix V has not yet existed, and hopefully never will.) He then commands the building of the largest Chapel the world has ever seen, to the greater glory of God. He puts out the call to the greatest artists all over the European continent, especially Italian ones, to come and decorate the Chapel.

(Does anyone know what I'm building?)

Pope Felix blesses the crowd outside in Saint Peter's Square,and with them all of Europe, praying for the enlightening hand of Jesus to be upon them. He receives news that the war in his home country has ended, and he celebrates publicly, praying for the Blessing of Christ's peace over all of Europe. He urges any European Monarchs who are able, to send aid to the beleaguered Byzantine Empire and Spanish states.

He also names his chief aid, Father Hans Haraldson, Archbishop of Kalmar, and a Cardinal, and sends him home in his flagship, the Divine Child. The Pope asks Felix to spread the good news as he travels; the Chair of Saint Peter is filled once more.

Many of the Italian cardinals, are angry at the choice of Hans Haroldson and the chief aid. Most of those cardinals leave the matter untouched but give their new leader cold stares...

Cosimo de Medici comes to meet the new Pope officially for the first time. Cosimo seems happy with the choice.

(I have also made a short list of the major political powers of the pope (at least how I see them, though the DM could change them or the reactions toward theese powers change over time

In Italy:1. The Pope is the head of the papal states/ Rome (in other words he is the unnoficial landlord of central Italy)2. The Pope has quite a lot of influence within the Italian gov't, though the church and the government are sepperate (although cardinals and other church officials can hold office)3. The Pope does control a large mercenary force loyal to the church (keep in mind that they are either paid or volunteers)

General:1. Excomunication- banishing a single person from the church, making them loose face to his/her underlings and society2. Interdiction- excomunication of an entire country generally used to put pressure on the countries leaders3. The pope can hire/fire clergy at will4. The pope can collect indulgances (money so that people don't have to wait in pergatory)5. Crowning an Emperor- in 800 Charlemange was proclaimed emperor, giving him the responsibility to protect the church in return for being aknowledged as the most important monarch in the world6. Calling for crussades or mass attack on a non-christian power7. Signing of treaties- The pope/church helped get all treaties signed to end wars until the 30 years war. This means (I think) that the pope has influence over what goes into treaties8. Other things not mentioned could still be papal powers, feel free to add onto the list...)

(Just to be clear, Hans Haraldson was the chief aid to the new pope before he was pope, not now. I can't imagine that any Italians would want to be Archbishop of Kalmar! Come to think of it, Felix will need a new right hand man.)

Pope Felix begins to treat Cesare Narni as his right hand man for many things, and appoints Lorenzo de Medici as the leader of erecting the new Chapel in Rome. During his meeting with Cosimo, he expresses his gratitude, and suggests that Kalmar might be very ready for a Medici scion to go and open up a bank there.

Meanwhile in Kalmar, (DM willing) contact is made with the Anatolian Army, and they are ordered to return home peacefully, informed that the war is over. King Olaf issues a formal apology to Poland-Lithuania, (assuming they were the only ones who were affected before the army was caught.) The King then lets relations cool for a few weeks (or months, as appropriate.)

Lord General Felix Torstein, meanwhile, works to rebuild the Kalmar army, and introduces the King's new program of using a part of the army as an engineer corps during peacetime. The Eastern Guard returns to their posts, the Anatolian Army is given long leave in light of how long they've been gone and their heroic service, the Danish and King's are held in reserve, and the Grand Finnish and the Peninsular Armies begin work on a new network of roads connecting Kalmar for military and trade purposes. Notably, all roadsigns are in Kalmari, not Danish, nor Finnish, nor Swedish, nor Norwegian.

Sad news for the Byzantine Empire. Octavius I dies at the age of 85 and is succeeded by his son Ambrose. Ambrose, giving his full attention on the war, cruelly rules the Byzantines for half a year before the Palace Guard force him off the throne. Ambrose was succeeded by his his young illegitimate son Ambrosius.Ambrosius has asked the Ottomans for a possibility of a peace treaty.